Autodesk® Maya® integration bridges 2D and 3D workflows while an upgraded API delivers flexible customization

LONDON, UK — January 25, 2024 — Today, Foundry launches Flix 7.0, a major update to its pre-production software that helps studios develop iconic stories by managing editorial round-tripping, storyboard revisions, file versioning, and more.

“Flix 7.0 opens the door for cross-discipline story development,” says Chris Andrewartha, Flix Product Manager at Foundry. “With our new Maya integration and upgraded API, it’ll be easier than ever for different teams and departments to collaborate. From 2D storyboards to 3D playblasts, all pre-production files are neatly organized in one central location so everyone is on the same page as they perfect and craft the story together — keeping projects on schedule and budget from the start.”

Boost 2D and 3D collaboration 

Due to the new integration with Maya, Flix 7.0 enables both 2D and 3D artists to collaborate from anywhere in the world using Flix as a central story hub. Snapshots and playblasts can be imported from Maya into Flix 7.0 as panels and then round-tripped to and from editorial in a few clicks. Flix takes care of naming, storing, and organizing all files, as well as enabling teams to provide feedback or revisit older ideas as the story is refined.

As Flix also connects to Adobe® Photoshop® and Toon Boom® Storyboard Pro™, the Maya integration enables layout and storyboard teams to work in tandem. These teams can now collaborate concurrently to identify areas for improvement in the story such as timing issues before they become complicated and expensive to change later in production. 2D artists can bring Flix’s Maya panels into their drawing tool of choice so that they can trace over the viewport for faster storyboarding. Meanwhile, 3D artists can reference 2D storyboard panels from Flix directly in Maya when building complex scenes or character models, saving even more time. 

Freely customize any workflow

For studios who want to customize Flix to the specific needs of their artists, Flix 7.0 makes building new extensions easier than ever with a new Remote Client API. This API lets studios create custom tools that integrate with Flix using the very same API as the built-in extensions for Maya and Photoshop. Detailed documentation and example code for the Remote Client API are provided to help studios build custom integrations with their choice tools or to create entirely custom workflows. Flix 7.0’s new extension management system makes it easy for studio supervisors to test, update, and audit all extensions, with the added ability to deploy them across production from a single place.

Keeping your data safe 

Flix 7.0 also introduces single sign-on (SSO) support for additional ease of secure account provisioning. IT teams can now authenticate Flix users through their studio’s existing SSO platform making it easy to centrally manage secure access to story development assets to both staff and freelancers. Flix also supports multi-factor authentication to provide an added layer of security.

Other new features in Flix 7.0 include:

• New metadata system — No more wasted time looking for information: scene data will now be stored directly on each Flix panel. For Maya users, for instance, global cameras, locators, and file path data will be recorded for assets selected in the viewer. 

• Enhanced Adobe Premiere® plugin — A multitude of updates and a new UI for the Flix Premiere Adapter eliminates previous version limitations and gives users a slick, efficient editorial workflow.

• Photoshop plugin redesign — The Photoshop extension has been rebuilt from the ground up, bringing users new UI customization options and more.

• Updated notification preferences — Turn off automatic email updates each time a panel is published or changed, to limit unwanted noise.

For a full rundown of new features and improvements, visit Flix 7.0’s What’s New page on the Foundry website.

About Foundry

Foundry has a 25-year heritage developing creative software for the Media and Entertainment industry and a portfolio of award-winning products. It advances the art and technology of visual experience with creative leaders around the globe, including major feature film studios and post-production houses such as ILM, DNEG, Pitch Black, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Wētā FX, Pixar, Marvel, Netflix, Framestore, and Technicolor Creative Studios.

In partnership with these companies, Foundry solves complex visualization challenges to turn incredible ideas into reality. Its products are used to create breathtaking visual effects and animation on a wide range of feature films, episodic content, and commercials.

Foundry software was integral in the making of every VFX Academy Award-winning film for the past decade and has been recognized and honored at the highest level in the industry, including four Academy Sci-Tech awards for Mari, Katana, Nuke and Furnace, two HPA Engineering Excellence awards for Flix and Nuke respectively, and an Engineering Emmy for Nuke.

Founded in 1996, Foundry is headquartered in London, with over 300 people worldwide and a presence in the US, Canada, China, Japan, Australia and Ireland.

Autodesk® Maya® is registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and other countries.

Adobe® Photoshop® and Adobe® Premiere® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe in the United States and/or other countries.

Toon Boom® is a registered trademark. Storyboard Pro™ and the Toon Boom logo are trademarks of Toon Boom Animation Inc. 

Kirsten Cameron

Director of Brand and Strategy